Daylily Manor has now posted on their website that they are CLOSED and it is up in the air as to whether they will ever open again due to health problems. I am just sick about it, as I had an order pending with them for several months that I was counting on, and they were not able to ship them in the fall because weather problems had affected plant growth. Pat Arnold and I emailed each other on Thursday about it, and she said they feel they cannot ship the current orders so I should look for the plants elsewhere, plus she had never cashed my check and is returning it. That part I felt good about, but they had some mini's that I simply cannot find elsewhere. I've been madly scrambling around to find replacements and have ordered a few mini's from Floyd Cove to replace the really small ones, but the ones I am really sick about are Fred's -- I was supposed to get DF's of LILLIAN'S CRAZY ARMS, LILLIAN'S FUNKY SPUNKY and FRED MANNING, plus I was going to also order LILLIAN'S SWEET THANG and they were going to ship them to me in March.

So Fred, if you read this, do you ever just sell your plants outright to people, or must we go through the auction process and purchase SF's? I would dearly love to purchase the ones I mentioned above from you or some other nursery you might know of, as I had been so thrilled that I had found them through a nursery I trusted in Daylily Manor. Do you have any suggestions?

Daylily Manor had a large inventory of some great daylilies and I really feel the loss. I had only purchased from them for the last two years, but their plants were fantastic. I'm sure a large part of their needing to close at this point is because of the weather in addition to their health. Pat said they haven't even been able to get out there and do an inventory since the fall of 2009 in large part because of their pretty unusual weather for the last year or so. And they may be able to handle people coming to the nursery to purchase by spring, but no more shipping of daylilies...

Betty I should have all of mine that you wan't. Send me an email at [email protected] and we can discuss this. Sorry to hear about the Arnolds, we have known them for several years and they have sold lots of our plants.

Fred -
You are such a wonderful Day Lily friend to all! So kind of you to do that for Betty. You don't find many in this day and age that are willing to help a friend out. So I just wanted to acknowledge your act of kindness! Very nice!

Yes, thank you, thank you! I've already emailed you about it, and I do appreciate this so much.
Betty

Fred, your a nice man!

Thanks, I just happen to have all of them and need to get some more of my things on the west side of the country. Three of those daylilies are award winners so they do well everywhere.

There are quite a few daylily farms closing. Too many people selling them.

There are a lot of us selling, and most sell a lot more than we do. We do all of our sales on the auction and have always sold as many as we want. Don't get a lot for most of them but it pay's for the habit.

I don't think Daylily Manor shut down because of competition. Both of the Arnolds have been having health problems and they've both been in and out of the hospital for the last couple of years, plus the weather last year was so bad they didn't want to risk spending much time outside. I think they had lots of loyal customers.

I think your right Betty, and I know one day it will happen to us. We are not getting any younger. Kathleen has already retired from the labor end but still handles the dealing with customers and the financial end.

Fred, I think you-all are FAR AWAY from that! You seem very young and spritely, and I love your enthusiasm. So I expect many more years of gorgeous daylilies from you!

This is really sad to read.

I keep offering myself and my work hands (Oh, I mean kids. LOL) for adoption, to anyone that can house us and the only ones that want to take me up on it, live somewhere COLD!

I too had to sell out last year. My plants were the last thing of value I had left so they had to go. There was also the chance that we might lose our house due to my husband being out of work for almost 3 years and I didn't want to see them dozed or turned to pasture so I sold them. The reality hasn't sunk in yet as it's only been a few months but it's sure going to be naked here this year. I can rebuild but may just stick to growing nursery plants in the greenhouse this year.

I sure hate to see another daylily grower and lover close their doors.

Sorry to hear this Michele, theres several I know that have really cut back or had to get out of daylilies all together. Not long ago there were six daylily gardens in this area now there are just two of us, the one has been here since the 80s. Its a comerical garden and has somehow kept their heads above water.

Sorry to hear that you have had such a hard time Michele, I hope things improve for you and your family this year.

The majority of people that seemed to get into daylilies do it when they have time which in most cases is late in life ie retirement so many people find health problems cause them to stop gardening one local lady gets a high school lad to help in the garden. He weeds and divides plants for a plant sale which he receives part of the money. This was profitable for both of them...plus a future generation learns about plants .....

Thanks all!

We're doing better now. We actually found out we could keep the house about a month after I sold the plants. LOL My husband also went back to work about the same time but for half the pay he was making when he was downsized in 2008.

The sad thing is/was that I was actually doing okay and making money. I always have other things besides daylilies too though. It was just the last thing I could give up, we needed the money AND I didn't want to see them dozed. Slim chance, in this area, that anyone would want a house with so many gardens and work.

I have seven kids ranging from 2-17 and they do often help. I think it's a great idea to get younger people involved. Too many of them have too much time on their hands.

I have seeds in the fridge, more to start and the greenhouse is going back up in a few weeks.

Glad to hear things are looking up for you -- and with seeds in the fridge you're on your way again! Let us know how things go for you.

Thank you Betty!

I have the desire to mope and whine and lick my wounds a bit but gardening is in my soul. I'm not me without dirt and sweat and plants. How can I not be drawn back in?

badseed said:
I have the desire to mope and whine and lick my wounds a bit but gardening is in my soul. I'm not me without dirt and sweat and plants. How can I not be drawn back in?

Here, here, my sentiments exactly, gardening is therapeutic and a sanity saver. Most of the time.